The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) – Review

Where to watch The Amazing Spider-Man 2

4 Stars

The fifth Spiderman movie in the last 12 years is actually the best since that original back in the summer of 2002. This absolutely smashing sequel does the seemingly impossible (or at least improbable) feat of besting all the other superhero movies of the year, rendering the previous film irrelevant, and creating genuine excitement for the oncoming third installment of this reboot trilogy. Excellent casting and unusually strong writing along with er…amazing direction from one-time indie darling Marc Webb, who has fully established himself as an exciting big budget helmer.

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) are still love birds all though now that high-school is over things have become a bit more complicated for the young couple. Peter’s constant moonlighting as Spiderman has caused a strain in his relationships, not only with Gwen but also his long-suffering Aunt May (Sally Field). While saving the city from yet another attack from a deranged madman, Spidey inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will cause the emergence of a villain named Electro (Jamie Foxx). This is an interesting character because of the way he is played by OSCAR winner Jamie Foxx and for the reluctance of his evil nature. He is a fanboy turned nemesis and the most legitimate threat to Spiderman and New York, but there is also the Green Goblin and Rhino lurking in the shadows.

The story is jammed with characters and plot threads, it may be too much of a good thing but after the long-winded Captain America and X-Men sequels, I appreciated the ‘fun’ mood of this Marvel series. The human characters are not lost with the strong acting from Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, the lightweight antics of the previous film are handled with more maturity and given an authority that was absent before. The Amazing Spiderman 2 is a visual marvel with beautifully realized 3D and gorgeous production design. Not only is it one of the season’s best blockbusters it is also one of 2014s best films.

Director: Marc Webb
Stars: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Sally Field,